FORD FOCUS (HATCHBACK)

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Ford

Production: 1998–present (Europe)

                    1999–2018 (North America)

• Body and Chassis

Class: Compact car

Body style: 3 or 5-door hatchback

                   4-door sedan/saloon

                   5-door estate

                   2-door coupe (US)

                   2-door coupé-cabriolet (Europe)

Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, (most models) or all-wheel drive (RS only)

HISTORY

The Ford Focus is a compact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by the Ford Motor Company and created under Alexander Trotman’s Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe’s German and British teams.

The Focus was released in July 1998 in Europe, succeeding the Ford Escort, and replaced the Mazda Familia-derived Ford Laser in Asia and Oceania along with the Laser-based North American Escort. Wayne Stamping & Assembly started producing the Focus for North America with sales beginning in 1999. The last North American-produced Focus rolled off the line at the Michigan Assembly Plant on May 4, 2018. Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and in China.

DESIGN

• Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Easy-to-use optional infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available.

Dislikes: Cramped back seat, outdated interior design, disappointing standard infotainment system.

The Focus has gone a long time without an interior overhaul, and its widespread use of plastic trim and outdated-looking cabin are clearly weak points. At least the controls are mostly straightforward and easy to use. Your friends and family won’t enjoy being stuffed into the small rear quarters of the Focus, as legroom for back-seat passengers is sorely lacking compared with nearly all of its rivals. Small windows don’t help alleviate the claustrophobic feel of the interior.

The optional touchscreen infotainment system called Sync 3 is refreshingly easy to use, with well-organized menus and large on-screen buttons. The base setup uses a much smaller screen and offers far fewer connectivity features. We recommend stepping up to either the SEL or Titanium trims, which have the more advanced system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Sync 3 is simple to use and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Practicality is not the Focus’s strong suit. While its cargo-carrying numbers are average, storage space for small items in the cabin is lacking. In our testing, it fit four of our carry-on suitcases with the rear seats in use and 15 carry-ons with the rear seats folded.

• Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Focus achieves only average crash-test results and lacks many of the active safety features of its competition. While it achieved a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it lags behind in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap crash test, where it only achieves an Acceptable rating—most of its newer rivals were rated Good in this test. Few active safety features are available, and the ones that are—namely blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning—are only offered as part of an option package on the top Titanium trim level, meaning you’ll pay more than $25,000 for a Focus so equipped. Key safety features include:

Available blind-spot monitor

Available lane-departure warning

Available lane-keeping assist

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOCUS HATCHBACK

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Manual transmission is available, great steering, fun to drive.

Dislikes: Six-speed automatic is unrefined, both the four-cylinder and three-cylinder engines are slow.

None of the Focus’s powertrains are particularly inspiring. The standard four-cylinder is not as punchy as the turbocharged engines available in many competitors, while the tiny, efficient turbo three-cylinder available on the sedan is overmatched by the Focus’s weight.

The Focus is one of the more amusing cars in its segment to hustle down a twisty road. Its fun-to-drive nature doesn’t come at the expense of comfort, either, as the Focus boasts a composed ride and a relatively isolated interior that make it feel more expensive than it is.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Focus makes up for its lackluster power with impressive efficiency. It’s among the best fuel sippers in its segment, outperforming its average EPA ratings—and most of its competitors—in our real-world testing with a result of 38 mpg. If you’re seeking maximum fuel efficiency, the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with the standard six-speed manual is the setup to choose. It comes standard with an engine stop/start system and is rated at 40 mpg highway by the EPA.

HOW TO MAINTENANCE OF YOUR FOCUS?

• Maintain your engine

Maintaining your vehicle properly helps it lasts longer and run more efficiently. An oil and filter change is important, and should be done frequently.

Learn more about the benefits of scheduling maintenance at your dealership.

• Repair your exterior

If you are in an accident, promptly file an insurance claim and use the claim money to repair the damage as soon as possible. Waiting can allow rust to set in, leading to other more serious problems.

• Drive smart

Avoid aggressive driving, which can damage your vehicle and may decrease its resale value. Refrain from jackrabbit starts, fast stops, speeding and weaving through traffic, as well. Following these recommendations can help keep your brakes, engine, tires and suspension from wearing prematurely – and even help improve your fuel economy.

• Keep complete service records

Keep complete service and maintenance records, along with any other receipts for parts and accessories, so you can show prospective buyers that your vehicle is well cared for.

Source: wikipedia, caranddriver,